Optical pointing device

• US 6,762,751 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2001
• Issued: 07/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Behavior Tech Computer (USA) Corporation (Behavior Tech Computer Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Behavior Tech Computer (USA) Corporation (Behavior Tech Computer Corporation)
• Inventors: Kuan, Yen-Liang
• Primary Examiner(s): Lao, Lun-Yi
• Application Number:
  US10/015,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156-169, 345/173-179, 250/234, 250/239, 250/221, 273/148.B, 463/37-38, 382/313, 382/321, 382/312
• US Class Current: 345/166
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means

Abstract

An optical pointing device includes a base which can be a casing of a peripheral device of a computer system having a display using a cursor or a portion of a display system using a cursor. The base defines a cavity having an opening in a surface of the base. An optical sensing system is received and retained in the cavity. The optical sensing system includes a lens located in front of the optical sensing system for directing optical signals toward/away from the optical sensing system. A light-transmitting panel is removably and selectively mounted to the opening of the cavity for covering the cavity. The distance between the panel and the lens is substantially equal to the focusing length of the lens whereby an object moving on the panel can be clearly detected by the optical sensing system and then converted into a corresponding first electrical signal to drive the cursor in a first direction. The pointing device can be placed on a fixed surface with the panel removed and moved with respect to the fixed surface for generating a second electrical signal to drive the cursor in an opposite second direction. A panel detection element is mounted in the body for detecting the presence of the panel and serves as a switch for switching the pointing device between forward moving mode where the first electrical signal is generated and rearward moving mode where the second electrical signal is generated.

Claims

1. A pointing device comprising:

a body defining a cavity therein, the cavity forming an opening in a surface of the body;

an optical sensing system retained in the cavity, the optical sensing system comprising a lens located in front thereof for directing optical signals away from/toward the optical sensing system;

a light-transmitting panel removably and selectively mounted to the body and covering the cavity adapted to support an object moving thereon; and

,

a panel detection element mounted in the body to detect a presence of the panel;

wherein the optical sensing system is adapted to receive an optical signal representing movement of the object on the panel and generate an electrical signal corresponding to the optical signal.

2. The pointing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a portion of a computer mouse.

3. The pointing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a portion of a keyboard.

4. The pointing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a portion of a notebook computer.

5. The pointing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lens has a focusing length, the panel being spaced from the lens a distance substantially equal to the focusing length.

6. The pointing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel has a bore formed therein within which a light-transmitting button is received, the button being movable between first and second positions, at least one biasing element being provided between the button and the panel to bias the button toward the first position where a distance between the button and the lens is different from a focusing length of the lens, a distance between the button and the lens being substantially equal to the focusing length of the lens when the button is at the second position.

7. A pointing device comprising:

a body defining a cavity therein, the cavity forming an opening in a surface of the body, the body having a channel formed therein;

an optical sensing system retained in the cavity, the optical sensing system comprising a lens located in front thereof for directing optical signals away from/toward the optical sensing system; and

a light-transmitting panel removably and selectively mounted to the body and covering the cavity adapted to support an object moving thereon, the panel being received and movable between positions, the cavity being covered by the panel regardless of the position of the panel;

wherein the optical sensing system is adapted to receive an optical signal representing movement of the object on the panel and generate an electrical signal corresponding to the optical signal.